Bands: Kazanna. 5 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

1- While I am writing this, I am feeding my ears to Kazanna, a local symphonic metal band and guess what, they're awesome. I have stopped listening to symphonic stuff a long long time ago because lotsa bands of that genre tend to produce lame pop melodies. For me, if you wanna go symphonic, the one word that you should keep in mind is EPIC. Not many bands can capture that epic and grandiose sound. Why settle for fucking pop hooks if you got one whole orchestra backing you up. 


KAZANNA

2- Now, this band, Kazanna, a local band, got me really fucking stoked. Seriousfuckingly. Will Of Heroes is their debut EP containing 7 epic hymns that've managed to shake the core out of my symphonic metal judgmentalism. I almost brush these guys out from my radar due to the typical name. I was like, who the fuck calls themselves this? But I gave my curiosity a try. The intro to the Will of Heroes EP nearly blew me off my fucking chair. The orchestral arrangements were crazy and it sounded awesomely epic. 

Kazanna - Will of Heroes EP 

3- When a metal band uses clean vocals and melodic singing, the first thing that I will want to appreciate is the vocal melodies. If you are unable to compose good melody lines for the vocals, then in you go into my bottomless dustbin. But the vocal lines for Will Of Heroes were very very good especially the melodies for Love Sophistry. The one line harmony was perfectly done. One kudos point there. The only problem I got with the vocals is that it was a bit low in the mix. I was unable to make out what the hell was the singer was singing. The singer needs to improve on the pronounciation. Although operatic sopranos are not really my cuppa tea, but strong words are.

4- The guitar sound is very solid but the bass was a bit low in the mix. The orchestral arrangements were perfectly mixed and the scores were pretty tight, grand, epic and compelling. The pianos were crazy and being a piano enthusiast my self (although I cant play) I appreciate the effort. The drum was perfectly mixed with the bass drums were a bit high in the mix but I guess it served its purpose of pushing the songs forward with its speed. There is a simple but functional solo in Never Ending Epic which I really like.

5- All in all, Kazanna is a very very promising Malaysian band. And hopefully with all the good words I've put into reviewing their stuff, I will be lucky enough to date the singer. Haha. Check them out if you like Nightwish and Within Temptation. I seriously recommend this. If you wanna try a Malaysian brand of sumphonic metal and I suggest you go out and look for this.


Download: Mistik - Airmata Sesalan. no comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

Mistik - Airmata Sesalan

Tracklist:
1- Airmata Sesalan
2- Her... Return I
3- Her... return II (Those Forbidden Art)
4- Voice of Misery
5. Perjanjian Syaitan (Instrumental)

Mistik:  EncMetallum | Myspace

Name: Air Mata Sesalan EP
Label: Psychic Scream Production
Size: 28.1 mb
Year: 1999
Band: Mistik.
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Penang, Malaysia.

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Password: malaysianmetal

Download: Zubirun - Maximum Hell Overdose. 1 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

Zubirun - Maximum Hell Overdose.

Tracklist:
1- Intro
2- My Vision 2 Killz
3- Al Masikh Ad Dajjal
4- Ketaksuban Ilmu Hitam
5- Outro

Zubirun:  EncMetallum

Name: Maximum Hell Overdose EP
Label: North Poem Records
Size: 25.9 mb
Year: 2002
Band: Zubirun.
Genre: Thrash / Black Metal
Country: Perak, Malaysia.

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pw: malaysianmetal

Rants: A Cromok Reunion Show? A new album? 5 comments

Posted at 4:14 PM in

There’s no need for Cromok fans to hold their breath or to wait on needles and pins. Yes, the metal juggernaut will grind its wheels soon enough with a reunion show planned later this year. And it’s not just one of those nostalgia gigs, but one with a new album to back it. -The Star July 22, 2011.
I am a pre Hillary Cromok fanboy and I had just wet my pants!

more HERE

Rants: Metal Thrashing Mad. 3 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

1- I'm bored. I'm sitting here in my room at the office, got nothing to do but for my continuous failblog visits. Gotta keep abreast with the current and rampant development of internet memes, you know, for the lulz. Ok, whats happenin out there? Let us see.


2- Anthrax will be releasing their latest long overdue album, Worship Music, somewhere in September. You can actually go and listen to one of the songs on youtube which was made available for download recently. Fight Em Til You Cant was the title of the song and the lyrics dealt with zombie fighting. Good ol' humor filled Anthrax. I am excited because this will be the first Anthrax album featuring my favorite Anthrax singer, the ever goofy Joey Belladonna since Persistence of Time album.

3- Megadeth has announced the title of their 13th studio album. And the album title? TH1RTE3N. What the fuck was that all about. The title sucks, Mustaine, change it. This album will feature David "Junior" Ellefson since The World Needs a Hero in 2002.

4- You know, thrash metal bands from the 80's have been releasing pretty good albums recently (well, except Metallica but at least their kinda back with their old thrashy riffs even though the quality of the sound sucked big time). Megadeth's Endgame was one of my favorite album to spin, Testament's Formation of Damnation was really, really good, Overkill's Iron Bound was really, really good, Sodom's In War And Pieces was exceptionally well written (the album that Metallica should've recorded), Heathen's The Evolution of Chaos was good. Man everything seems to be good and well in Planet Thrash.

5- Hopefully we will be able to see more good albums from these bands in the future (well except Metallica).


6- Corey Taylor of Slipknot wrote a book called Seven Deadly Sins. Not interested. Next. Remember the all girl metal band, Kittie? They will be releasing their sixth album titled "Ive Failed You" somewhere in August. My all time favorite heavy drinkin, cheast beatin, muscle buildin, harley ridin band like of all time, Manowar is still recording they long awaited new album titled "Hammer of the Gods". Damn DeMaio, whats taking you so fucking long? Oh yeah, Bruce Dickinson received an honorary doctorate from Queen Mary University, London. Congrats Dr.Dick. Apa lagi? Ah yes, Post Mike Portnoy Dream Theater will be releasing an album with their new ever humble drummer Mike Mangini.


7- Fuckin kewl!

Download: Catarrh - Nightflight. 5 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

Catarrh - Nightflight

Tracklist:
1- Crawling Over The Roof
2- Nightflight
3- Big Mountain
4- Horrifying Scream From The Rubber Estate

Catarrh:  EncMetallum

Name: NightFlight EP
Label: Independent
Size: 31 mb
Year: 1996
Band: Catarrh.
Genre: Death Metal
Country: Pahang, Malaysia.


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pw: malaysianmetal

Rants: New Releases. 2 comments

Posted at 1:15 PM in



1- Malaysia The Darkness Production is one of the few newer independent label in Malaysia. The latest release from MTD production as far as I am aware of is a demo CD from a band called The Temerity, a black metal foursome from the island of Penang. You can browse Facebook for Malaysia The Darkness or MTD production page and book the demo there.

2- The words in the flyer actually says, and I translate: The Temerity - Khayalan Syaitan Demo ("Satan's lust" in Malay), a demo from a band from Penang playing Eastern Black Death Metal. The demo contains 4 original songs and the lyrics were entirely in Malay. The price is RM6 a pop and the production is limited to 66 copies only. Book yours now, people.

Download: Indamnation - Black Guard. 2 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

Indamnation - Black Guard
Tracklist:
1- Diurnal Occurance
2- Betrayal
3- Never Ending Pain
4- Blackguard

Indamnation:  EncMetallum

Name: Black Guard EP
Label: DreamWorldDecay Production
Size: 44.3 mb
Year: 1998
Band: Indamnation.
Genre: Death Metal
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Password: malaysianmetal

Download: Cryptic Malediction - Insanity To Berzerk. no comments

Posted at 1:56 AM in

Tracklist:
1- As My Shadow Withers
2- Insanity To Berzerk
3- Audiam
4- Enigmatic Dirge 
5- Selfless Soul
6- Warriors of the Sand

Cryptic Malediction: MySpace | EncMetallum


Name: Insanity To Berzerk EP
Label: Ultra Hingax Production
Size: 78.0 mb
Year: 1998
Band: Cryptic Malediction.
Genre: Death Metal
Country: Selangor, Malaysia.


DOWNLOAD
Password: malaysianmetal

Download: Deep - Buried Beneath And Forgotten. 2 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

  
Deep - Buried Beneath & Forgotten

Tracklist:
1- Buried Beneath & Forgotten
2- Through The Deep
3- Between Life And Lifeless

Name: Buried Beneath & Forgotten Demo
Label: Independent
Size: 15.7 mb
Year: 2011
Band: Deep
Genre: Black Metal / Depressive / Melancholic
Country: Kelantan, Malaysia.

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Password: malaysianmetal

Download: Purnamwulan - The Full Moon Over The Kliwon. 2 comments

Posted at 3:52 PM in


Tracklist:
1- Prologue
2- My Bride of Silence
3- The Hidden of the Mystical Path
4- Seropoh Sombrong Mabhur


Purnamwulan: Website | EncMetallum


Name: The Full Moon Over The Kliwon Demo
Label: Independent
Size: 20.6 mb
Year: 1997
Band: Purnamwulan.
Genre: Black Metal / Eastern Metal
Country: Perak, Malaysia.

DOWNLOAD
Password: malaysianmetal

Download: Arkhaytul Mayt - Evening Flight. 2 comments

Posted at 12:00 AM in

ARKHAYTULMAYT - Evening Flight Demo [1999]


Tracklist:
1- Evening Flight
2- Apparition in the Forest of Archaic
3- Pusaka of the Lord of Forestry
4- Just The Beginning


Arkhaytul Mayt: Website | EncMetallum


Name: Evening Flight Demo
Label: Independent
Size: 17.5 mb
Year: 1999
Band: ArkhaytulMayt.
Genre: Black Metal / Eastern Metal
Country: Selangor, Malaysia.

DOWNLOAD
Password: malaysianmetal

Rants: Eastern Metal. 4 comments

Posted at 1:31 PM in

1- Hello there. I am writing this in the accompaniment of the tracks from Versailles, a Japanese speed/classical metal band and God, they are awesome. If you like highly melodic classical stuff, crazy shreds and riffs with modern baroque operatic baritone-esque vocals, then I suggest you try this crazy cross dressing (they call it Visual Kei, its more style then a genre) band. Be sure not to fap over the guitarists cute face, because the last time i checked he is still a guy.

2- If you recognize Florida for its Death Metal (Morbid Angel, Death, Deicide), Bay Area for its Thrash Metal (Metallica, Anthrax, Exodus), Gothenberg for its Melodic Death Metal (In Flames, At The Gates, Dark Tranquility), Norway in general for its regiments of Black Metal bands (Mayhem, Burzum, Dark Throne) then it is only fair that you should recognize this small country of ours called Malaysia with our own brand of metal called Eastern Metal.

3- I know that the name is kinda generic and cheesy and I too understand that Eastern is subjective, but there is nothing that I can do about it. If it was up to me to name the genre, I would have called it a much more awesome name like Malayan Metal. Ok, that too sounded lame. Who cares anyway. What about Barbaric Malayan Metal? Awesome? No? Fuck you.

4- What ever it is, Eastern metal (bare with me guys, stop complaining, fuckheads) was an original concept coming out of the shores of Malaysian waters. I do not know who coined the term Eastern Metal but my number one suspect was Langsuyr's Eastern Cruelty EP which was released in 1996 but I might be wrong since I base my suspicion solely on the term Eastern in Eastern Cruelty.

5- Malaysia back then, like most country in the South East region of Asia in the likes of Indonesia, Philippine, Singapore and Thailand, was a country highly blanketed by Malay mysticism, shamanism and black magic. Although due to the rampant progress of technology, modern mindsets and the widespread of Islam, these ancient tradition, rituals and practices were reduced, ignored and almost forgotten. Almost.

6- But you can still witness these elements in the form of traditional dances of the Malays. The ritualistic royal theater of Mak Yong and medicinal therapy of Main Puteri in Kelantan, the ritual calming of the spirit of the seas in Ulek Mayang in Terengganu, the theatrical battle dance of Kuda Kepang in Johor, just to name a few, are the instances of mystical elements that were still practiced nowadays although for a new different reason altogether. It is also a fascinating to point out that some Malay rulers (Sultans) still adhere to some of these ancient rituals. The ritual of Beting Beras Basah practiced by the Sultans of Perak is one good example.

7- But for me, the more important learning experience behind all these ancient practice of mysticism was not only in regards of its mystic and magic, but the legend, myth and rich history of the vikings of the orient. the ancient seafarers of an ethnic called the Malays, the main ethnic inhabiting the Malay Archipelago since time immemorial. Before I keep on ranting about the history of the Malays here, it is better if I stay on course. Eastern Metal, damn it, Eastern Metal. 

8- Musically, Eastern Metal is basically an amalgamation of local dark musical folk riffs and extreme metal especially Black Metal. I dont know but Black Metal seems to suit the unification of these elements, musically and lyrically. The first band that did this (incorporate local folk music into extreme metal) was Cromok in an intro of one of their more famous song from their debut demo, Image of Purity, called Metallurgical back in 1990. It is also important to note that another local seminal thrash band called Freedom Thats Gone (FTG) did also incorporate a local classic musical style called Keroncong in their song titled Kill The Evil from their first EP in 1991 but thats a different discussion altogether.

9- But it was not Cromok who developed the music. The band just paved the way musically. It was a Singaporean Black Metal band called As Sahar that started to champion the mysticism of the Malays lyrically and developed the music into a distinct sound of Eastern Metal with their 1995 demo, Santau (voodoo-ish sort of magic) which was later released by a Malaysian record label called Nebiula Productions in the form of a 4 song EP called Meditation Embun Pagi, in the same year.

10- With song titles such as Stroll in Kafan (pieces of white linen with which Muslims wrap their dead with), basically a song about a Malay ghost called Pocong, and Santau Tuju Angin (Wind Voodoo would be an appropriate term to define it), As Sahar started to develop a lyrical theme and sets of distinctive Javanese based riffs that would later form the basic idea of what would later be known as Eastern Metal.  

11- That legendary release, Meditation Embun Pagi by As Sahar, was soon followed by another legendary release by a local legendary band called Langsuyr/Ryusgnal (forest banshee in Malay with the latter being the same moniker spelled backwords, eery), in the form of a 4 song EP called The Eastern Cruelty. It was during this time that Eastern Metal was recognized as a genre.

12- As Sahar continued the eastern metal path with their debut LP called Phenomistik which was released in 1998 while Langsuyr contributed 2 songs in the same vein of Eastern Cruelty for a local compilation called Ipoh Metal Militant: Supremacist. 

13- By then dozens of bands started being fascinated with the newly discovered genre. Alongside As Sahar and Langsuyr, other important bands that dwelt with Eastern Metal were Tasyim, Arkhaytul Mayt, Purnamwulan, Kharabanazak, Atrocious, Larrong or the newer ones in the likes of Singhasari and Polong. It is also important to note that even though most of the mentioned bands played either Black Metal or Death Black Metal musically, there were other bands which managed to incorporate Malayan myths and mysticism without the distinctive Eastern Metal sound such as Cryptic Malediction (death metal), Sil Khannaz (dare i say Progrockdeath?) and Uprising (folk metal). Worth checking them out.    

Worshippers.